The Bicycle

©Margaret Bednar


The Bicycle

It felt cobblestones under its wheels
on days when summer burnt the sky
and the sea disappeared into blue horizon.

Life wrapped itself in the bicycle’s spokes
rotating history with each petal push,
the tire tread worn smooth
by the grit of destinations.

Spontaneity had held the handle bars
to carry  picnic baskets in a tandem ride
with flirting hearts to a blanket on the sand.

Yesterday’s green paint still colors its metal frame.
Sea foam dreams and memories whisper
their nostalgia to those who pass by.

Though worn it sits as it always has on the shore.
It rests on patient wheels for the next generation
to discover the joy of etching secrets into the path
between sidewalk and sea.



©Susie Clevenger 2012

Real Toads was privileged to receive the gracious permission of Margaret Bednar to use her iPhone images as inspiration for this weekend's poetry writings. 

Comments

Fireblossom said…
I almost wrote about that bike myself. I'm glad that you did, Susie.
Scarlet said…
I like the rotating history and sea foam dreams whispering ~ Nice take on the bicycle ~
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I love this, especially as I bought myself one of those adult's three wheel trikes for my birthday! Cant wait to start riding the country roads, when it gets here.
Hannah said…
You tell this bicycle's story so well, Susie!!! Your second stanza really stands out to me!! Wonderful ALL!!
Susan said…
I like: "petal push" "the grit of destinations" "Patient wheels" and the senses of history and love that link these neat moments.
Kerry O'Connor said…
You have captured the nostalgia of the photo so well in your words. I thought the second stanza was particularly beautiful and imaginative in description.
Peggy said…
Wonderful capture of this photo and I love where you went with it.
Anonymous said…
Beautiful, Susie - I loved to read about where this bicycle's been... and where it could go again. I especially liked:
"Life wrapped itself in the bicycle’s spokes
rotating history with each petal push,
the tire tread worn smooth
by the grit of destinations."
Margaret said…
etching secrets into the path
between sidewalk and sea.


Lovely! I was late for an appointment and hesitated and then backed up to take this photo. And thought "I don't have time". Walked on, but then, thougt "I'm already late..." And I'm glad I had my iPhone on me and I am glad I took it when I did because it was GONE when I returned. Must have gone of etching secrets into the sandy seashore :)

Thank you, for writing to my photo!